Today we’d like to introduce you to Melody Moteabbed.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve honestly been blogging since I was 10. Whether the big platform at the time was Xanga, Tumblr or even MySpace, I’ve been writing my thoughts and presenting them to the world for a long time. Actually putting in the effort to create my own website — to share my thoughts, opinions, and knowledge on beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and San Diego — was intimidating to plunge into, but I knew I’d suffer if I didn’t create a creative outlet during this tumultuous part of my life. When I graduated from UCSD in 201,7, I knew what I wanted to do, but didn’t know quite how to get there. I swallowed my insecurities and decided to finally create my own blog in January 2018.
I also continue to be a freelance makeup artist to keep that passion alive. While I was looking for jobs earlier this year, I worked on-call at Nordstrom at their beauty counters and learned a lot from so many different brands. I feel like I have the knowledge and passion to pass on the information I’ve learned to my followers.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This past year has put me through a lot of unexpected obstacles – some even too painful for me to feel comfortable discussing. But the one thing I never did was stop believing in myself and my goals. I am a young woman in her early 20s trying to pursue her dreams with little income while experiencing major changes in support systems. In all honesty, I’m still waiting for my 20s to become fun. But I guess I have to seek it.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Melody Memo – what should we know?
I come from a background of passion and experience with makeup. I was assisting in high school theatre productions when I was only a freshman, helping perfect eyeliner wings and teaching senior girls how to match their foundations to their neck. My sister who is much older than me jumpstarted my passion for makeup when I was very young; occasionally, she’d do makeovers on me, and my mom would get so angry! But I learned a lot from my sister and tapped into my own creativity to develop my own makeup style.
As far as my blog goes, I get a lot of inspiration from some awesome influencers on Instagram. Social media can be detrimental for sure, but if it’s used as a tool for creativity, I think it can be really beneficial. I think my blog stands out because my writing style is very honest, sometimes to the point of blunt – but I always thought it’s part of what makes me funny. I’m trying to also write from a San Diegan’s POV; I can’t wait to write about some of my favorite places here and share them with everyone. Most importantly, because I am in my early 20s, I want to bring others on this journey with me, so it’s fun!
Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
This might sound silly, but whenever I have downtime, I try to create rather than consume. Some influencers and entrepreneurs I really admire are @Marianna_Hewitt, @Sazan, @josefinehj, and Chiara Ferragni, of course. She’s legendary, I adore her.
Pricing:
- $55/makeover session. I’ll make it $50 if you promote me on social media!
Contact Info:
- Website: themelodymemo.com
- Phone: 510-812-2870
- Email: themelodymemo@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/immelmo
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here
